With the hot blood dissipated, when the execution was carried out, it would be difficult to hear the powerful curses and recitations of the Great Zhou's laws. However, Yang Xiushen was still breathing, even though he was on his dying gasps, exhaling less then he inhaled, his breath like gossamer. His bones were still hard, even though his ribs had been shattered into ten or more pieces.
Yang Xiushen had never participated in the Grand Examination. He had entered the court as an official through the regular imperial examination. He had worked diligently in the government for many years before finally being recognized by the Divine Empress and promoted to a secretary of the palace. Everyone believed that he should have been thankful for the Divine Empress's kindness, yet he continued to act as he did in the past, quietly concerning himself with his own matters and recording all that occurred in the Imperial Palace.